The 24 Best Thanksgiving Recipes

By bon appétit

Don’t let the name fool you: this Thanksgiving turkey is anything but dry. What I love about this recipe, aside from the incredibly juicy turkey meat, is the fact that it uses ingredients that you likely already have on hand and it doesn’t require a roasting pan! 

By Emeril Lagasse

Cooking for a small group this year? Try cooking a breast instead of the whole bird! Most butchers will offer a bone-in breast as an option but, if not, just ask ahead and they’ll trim it down for you. This turkey breast recipe is a staple thanksgiving recipe – the meat is so moist and flavorful, you won’t even miss the dark meat!

By bon appétit

This is a classic recipe from nearly 30 years ago that still holds it’s own on today’s Thanksgiving tables. What sets this turkey recipe apart is the glaze; the aroma of the apple cider and honey is everything we love about the holiday season and the sweetness it adds to the bird and gravy makes for a  perfectly balanced plate.

By Food Network Kitchen

More of a how-to than a recipe, this basic set of instructions is great to keep on hand with your Thanksgiving recipe collection. The beauty behind this method is in its simplicity, and the freedom to use whichever vegetables, herbs, and spices you prefer for a perfect bird, every time.

By Martha Stewart

This Thanksgiving turkey recipe is a special one. Maple syrup is glazed over the bird during the last hour of cooking, creating a crystallized crust that is both sweet and savory, and totally crave-worthy. I love the way the gravy takes on the maple flavor as well. The perfect addition to all the savory side dishes!

By Bobby Flay

As you might guess, this Turkey is a show-stopper. The spicy-sweet glaze is OUT-OF-THIS-WORLD. This is an easy recipe, as the bird is initially roasted with simply butter, salt and pepper. The glaze is added in the last 15 minutes of roasting, creating a sweet, glossy exterior that makes for a stunning centerpiece on your Thanksgiving table.

By Eating Well

I love serving simple vegetable sides to break up the heavier dishes like mashed potatoes and dressing. These Brussels sprouts are easy to prepare and difficult to screw up. They’re packed with flavor and pair nicely with all the traditional Thanksgiving dishes.

By Food Network Kitchen

Sorry all you marshmallow fans out there, this crumbly pecan topping has you beat. But fear not, this sweet potato casserole is plenty sweet without the marshmallows; the sweet potatoes get a pumpkin pie-like makeover and the buttery crumb topping is next level. It’s the perfect sweet addition to your Thanksgiving plate.

By Martha Stewart

Green beans aren’t just for casseroles. They are so delicious in this simple yet elegant side dish. This is a Thanksgiving recipe I return to time and time again because it is easy, healthy, and so delicious. Add this healthy side dish to your plate this year!

By Frosted Kale

This dish is like Autumn on a plate! I absolutely love the heartiness of the farro with the earthy squash, sweet apples, and kick of acid from the sherry vinegar. A perfectly balanced and healthy Thanksgiving side dish that pairs beautifully with the heavier components of the meal.

By Giada De Laurentiis

Why stick with classic mashed potatoes when you can turn them up a notch? These baked mashed potatoes remind me of a twice-baked potato and are cheesy, creamy, and crispy all at the same time. And they can be prepped ahead of time and stored in the fridge until you’re ready to bake – how easy is that?

By Eating Well

Whether it’s from a can, in relish form, or slow-simmered, all cranberry sauce recipes have one thing in common: they’re loaded with sugar to offset the natural tartness and slight bitterness of the cranberries. Here, apple cider and dates are used instead and the end result is a cranberry sauce that everyone can agree on.

By Cooking Light

Can’t decide between a Pumpkin Pie and a Cheesecake? Well, good news, you don’t have to. This recipe from Cooking Light has been an Autumn favorite of mine for years. It has the perfect balance of pumpkin spice goodness, but not too much to overpower that classic cheesecake tang.

By Food & Wine

Didn’t get your fill of dressing or stuffing? No problem, you can have it for dessert too! This bread pudding recipe is ingenious – it uses melted vanilla ice cream as the base so there is no need to make a custard. And that whiskey caramel sauce? I recommend making a double batch and putting it on… everything.

By Handle The Heat

Salty and sweet desserts are my favorite (hence my salty-sweet brown butter blondies) and this easy sheet cake from Handle the Heat checks all the boxes. It has the classic Autumn flavors of a caramel apple all wrapped up in an easy sheet cake. The perfect Thanksgiving dessert, without all the fuss.

By Frosted Kale

Looking for something a little lighter after the big meal? These healthy pumpkin cookies won’t weigh you down. They are super easy to bake up and can be made a day ahead. I love a casual assortment of easy, finger-food desserts after Thanksgiving dinner. Set a plate of these cookies alongside the pecan squares for a delicious, low-maintenance dessert.

By Ina Garten

I love this apple crisp recipe so much that I make it all season long. It’s the perfect dessert for Thanksgiving, as it’s a bit lighter than traditional apple pie. The buttery, crumbly oat topping is the perfect complement to the tart apple filling (I like to use Granny Smiths here). Serve this one hot with a scoop of vanilla or cinnamon ice cream.

By Tyler Florence

What happens when you combine bourbon, chocolate, and pecans? Pure. Magic. This is a favorite recipe of mine. I love the depth of flavor from the bourbon and the bitterness from the unsweetened chocolate. It’s a less sweet, complex, insanely delicious pecan pie recipe that your family is sure to love.